Mumbai civic body’s Central Park dream takes shape

Civic body to conduct impact surveys for 300-acre park before it approaches Centre for green nod

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) plans for a 300-acre Central Park at Cuffe Parade are taking shape.

Civic officials will soon appoint agencies to undertake various surveys — that includes a station survey to understand the landmass, an oceanographic survey, an impact assessment on the livelihood of people living in the area and an environment impact assessment of the project in general.

Officials said once initiated, all the surveys will run parallel.

While the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is expected to undertake a survey, the livelihood impact assessment will be most likely be undertaken by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute.

In the Development Plan (DP) 2034, BMC has put in a proposal for a 300-acre Central Park similar to the one in New York, in Cuffe Parade through reclamation.

Kiran Dighavkar, assistant commissioner of the A ward said, “We are in the preliminary stages. We will soon be appointing agencies to undertake the survey.”

Officials said that BMC has recently got a no-objection certificate from the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) to approach the central government for a green nod.

Earlier, BMC had written to the MMRDA, which is the planning authority of the area, to jointly approach the central government.

“Post the surveys, we will be able to plot the entire plan on a map and approach the government for a green nod. By then, the DP should also be approved by the state government,” a senior civic official said.

The 20-year vision plan for Mumbai or DP is currently pending with the state government for a final approval.

In 2016, HT had reported that the Central-Park plan includes a garden, a playground and a play area for children.

Civic officials are also planning to use the muck generated by the excavation work undertaken for Metro-3 and that which will be generated from the coastal road work for the reclamation.

The plan, however, has been opposed by fishermen who think their livelihood will be affected by the project.

Experts have also opposed the plan stating that the city needs more recreational spaces towards the north rather the southern tip.